Qatar announced the end of the Kafala System in 2020
- Migrant worker can change jobs without needing to obtain their employers’ permission, ending one of the most criticised elements of the country’s labour system.
- No longer exit permit needed to leave the country, effectively dismantles the ‘kafala’ sponsorship system.
- Qatar did not fully implement it.
- After the fatal fire in Mangaf, Kuwait, which killed 49 migrant workers—mostly Indians, actions of suspensions of concerned officials took place.
- Though addressing the systemic issues of the Kafala system remains crucial for safeguarding workers’ rights.
- The kafala – or sponsorship – system, under which workers are unable to change jobs without their employer’s permission. This practice leaves many vulnerable to exploitation and in some cases forced labour.
- The Kafala system ties work and residence visas to employers, creating dependency for nearly three million low-income migrants in Kuwait.
- Kuwait and other GCC states, home to 35 million migrant workers (10% of all international migrants), follow similar practices under the Kafala system. Indians are the largest group among these workers.
- The immediate concern is the unsafe and unhygienic labour accommodations, making residents vulnerable to emergencies.
- The cost of decent living far exceeds the minimum wage, reflecting the low value placed on migrant labour.
- The minimum salary requirement to sponsor a family is KD800, making it impossible for most migrants to bring their families.
- Low wages ensure perpetual vulnerability, forcing workers into poor housing and minimal socio-cultural spaces.
- GCC states do not permit labour organizing or unionization, keeping workers financially insecure and easily deportable.
- Despite promises of better safety standards and penalties, systemic changes to empower workers are unlikely.
- Domestic workers, 27% of Kuwait’s labour force, are excluded from labour laws and face aggravated vulnerabilities.
Dig Deeper: In how many countries Kafala System still exist?
